Drivers' Last-gas Efforts'

Many Fill 'em Up Before Tax Hike

Consumers lined up at area fuel pumps Friday to fill up their cars before a 5-cent federal tax increase on gasoline went into effect today.

Motorists waited five minutes in some cases for their turn in line. Self-service lines ran three cars deep at some stations, while more expensive full-service isles were empty.

``I'm filling up today because of it,'' said Wilton Wells of Smithfield. Wells, who was buying gas at the Deer Park Exxon station in Newport News, said he spent $8 to top off his tank when ``I wasn't near full.''

Phyllis Weinstock of Newport News said she had no choice but to fill her car Friday. ``Unfortunately I was on E(mpty),'' she said. However, the price increase ``was incentive to do it now instead of tomorrow morning,'' she said.

John Turlington, owner of Deer Park Exxon on J. Clyde Morris Boulevard, said the station had been busy all day but attributed part of that to his prices, which were several cents lower than his competitors.

``I'm sure the 5-cent tax has something to do with it,'' Turlington said. ``We've been busy all week.''

Area gasoline dealers said they had expected a run on the pumps Friday. Some dealers said they told their customers in advance that prices would increase.

``I've been telling people to fill up,'' said Ralph Talton, owner of Newmarket Exxon in Hampton. ``I'm expecting a good run this evening.''

Dennis Dainack, owner of Phoebus Exxon, said, ``Right now I'm real close to running out because everyone's filling up before the first.''

The federal government raised taxes on gasoline, airline fares, and other goods in an effort to reduce the budget deficit. The taxes are expected to trim the deficit by $42.5 billion this fiscal year.

The tax increase comes at a time when area gas prices had actually decreased.

A survey by The Daily Press of nine area stations showed regular unleaded gas cost an average of $1.29 a gallon, 4 cents less than it did Nov. 12.

Mid-grade gasoline had also fallen 4 cents to an average of $1.40 a gallon. Premium gas fell even further, showing a 5-cent decrease to $1.48 a gallon.

``It just came down. Now we got to turn around and put it back up 5 cents,'' said Robert Slaughter, owner of Slaughter's Chevron in Mathews.

Area dealers said the tax increase left them with no choice but to raise their prices.

``People will be grumbling, but at least they'll be grumbling at the federal government,'' Talton said. ``Still, the bottom line is they're high, and now they're higher.''

Although skyrocketing gas prices in the wake of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait had cooled off in recent weeks, the growing possibility of war in the Middle East could mean additional increases, Talton said.

``It's going to be interesting, the next 40 to 45 days, to see what happens,'' he said.